Which PDE5 inhibitors are available?
If you have ever looked into ED drugs in more detail, you have probably heard the term PDE5 inhibitors. The most effective medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction belong to this group, including Levitra, Cialis, and Viagra. The ways the drugs of this type work is they improve the supply of blood during arousal thanks to the relaxation of the smooth muscle of the penis, thus allowing a man to get a firm erection. PDE5 inhibitors are not designed to treat the health issues causing erectile dysfunction but rather they make it possible to get an erection despite them. For this reason, they have to be consumed whenever a man wants to have sex and skipped when no sexual activities take place.
Which active ingredients are present in drugs?
When it comes to comparing Levitra to other popular PDE5 inhibitors, the first thing that should be mentioned is the active ingredient. While Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra all belong to the same group of medications and are intended to deliver the same effect, it is achieved using different active ingredients.
The active ingredients present in the medications are:
- Levitra – Vardenafil
- Viagra – Sildenafil
- Cialis – Tadalafil
All of these ingredients ensure a sufficient supply of blood to the penis when a man gets sexually stimulated. The effectiveness for each person depends on the individual reaction to the component, and it is something that can be determined only by trying the drugs several times on separate occasions. Also, the choice should depend on how long you want the effect to last, as it varies.
Duration of the influence
Another difference between PDE5 inhibitors that makes people go for one medication over another is, of course, how long the effect lasts. Men have different needs and while some prefer not to worry about taking another pill for as long as possible, others don’t need the most long-lasting effect.
The duration of the influence of three popular PDE5 inhibitors:
- Levitra – up to 8 hours
- Viagra – 4-5 hours
- Cialis – up to 36 hours
In such a way, Levitra is a perfect middle ground for numerous men, as the effect of up to 8 hours gives them enough freedom to choose the time when they want to have sex.
Dosages of popular PDE5 inhibitors
All PDE5 inhibitors should be taken no more than once a day before sex using a single pill. But, the actual quantity of the active ingredient in the pills varies depending on the medication, which means that they are available in different dosages.
The strengths in which PDE5 inhibitors can be purchased include:
- Levitra dosage – 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
- Viagra dosage – 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
- Cialis dosage – 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg
Regardless of the drug, it is generally recommended to start the treatment using lower dosages and see how your body responds. In such a way, you shouldn’t start taking Levitra 20 mg on your first try and go for 2.5 mg or 5 mg instead. If you don’t get the desired effect, you can try more concentrated pills or a different drug.
Waiting time for drugs to start working
For a lot of people, the waiting time before the medication kicks in and can induce an erection is an important factor.
For the PDE5 inhibitors they are:
- Levitra – 15 to 30 minutes
- Viagra – 40 minutes to an hour
- Cialis – 15 to 30 minutes
It should be mentioned that these are just general guidelines and the time in which any of these medications start working depends on an individual. It is best to pay attention to your personal reactions and figure out how quickly a drug becomes effective in your case.
Possible side effects
Because the medications affect the body in the equivalent ways, the majority of potential side effects coincide. For most people, the side effects are mild but they still may require the adjustment of the dosage.
The possible Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra side effects include:
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Upset stomach
- Priapism (erection that lasts for more than 4 hours)
- Changes in the blood pressure
These side effects are possible from taking any of the three drugs, but there are also some others exclusive to certain medications. For instance, the side effects of back pain and muscle ache are quite common when consuming Cialis, but generally do not occur when consuming Viagra or Levitra. But, the adverse reactions of face flushing and vision changes can happen when taking Levitra or Viagra and are not common when using Cialis.